MAJOR Package update details (6th December 2016):

7th December - Minor fix: "Fly-by-Mouse" feature is now setup to move the control bar in the same direction of the mouse (100% realism).

The package was updated and upgraded to X-Plane 10.51.

3D cockpit upgraded with new features and textures (S-1/S-1-F/S-3).

GPS system was added to the S-1/S-3 variants (X-Plane GPS 530).

Flight model deeply refurbished. The Trikes flight envelope was "opened" to allow more control authority when landing at nose-high attitude (one can now run on the two main gears more easily).

Extended-Usability features added to the cockpit (S-1/S-1-F/S-3):

Toggle Pilot Object: switch on/off pilot object visibility.

Toggle Field-of-View: switch between 95 and 103 degrees).

Toggle Pilot-Assist mode: switch to pilot assist mode in which the trike can maintain desired flight attitude easily and can be flown with reduced pilot work-load).

Fly-by-Mouse: click on the mouse and drag it as if you are moving the control-bar. This is very useful for real trike pilots who like to experience more natural and realistic control method, other than a joystick.

Trikes model S-2 and S-1-F (floats only) were removed from the package.

*** PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR INFO AND INSTRUCTION ***

What is an Ultralight Hang Gliger Trike aircraft?An ultralight trike aircraft, also known as a flex-wing trike, weight-shift-control aircraft, microlight trike, deltatrike or motorized deltaplane, is a type of powered hang glider using a high-performance Rogallo wing coupled to a propeller-driven three-wheeled undercarriage. While many powered aircraft have three-wheeled landing gear, the term "trike" refers specifically to the form of aircraft described above.Flight control in a trike is made by weight-shifting; the undercarriage structure is connected to the wing at a hinge-point, and the wing can be tilted in both X and Y axes. While on the ground (takeoff for example), pushing the wing control bar raises the angle of attack of the wing and lift is produced. As the aircraft is airborne, moving the control bar of the wing causes the undercarriage to swift both sideways or back and forth, and a weight-shifting control is achieved.

Cockpit Features - Easy Field-of View Setup

(Click to switch between 95 to 105 Degrees)

Field-of-View Setup: You can toggle between 95 and 105 degrees by using the Toggle-Field-of-View switch in the cockpit (s-1 variants, s-3) or by clicking on the screen of the smartphone which is in front (s-4).

Cockpit Features - Toggle Pilot Object

(Click to show or hide the pilot object)

Toggle Pilot Switch: Located in the cockpit panel. Push to toggle the pilot appearance in the cockpit (for not seeing the pilot object).

Cockpit Features - Pilot Assist

(Click for pilot-assisted flying)

Pilot Assist: Use this switch to get some help while flying the trike; in real-life, we do lot's of pilot-workloadUnconsciously. Main reasons for this is that in real life we have full Peripheral Vision, and we feel the motion of the aircraft instantly, so we do, most of the time (when not distracted), a lot of pilot workload as a "background procedure". The Pilot-Assist feature will ease up the workload (as if you are doing the background workload without noticing it...).

Cockpit Features - Fly-by-Mouse

(Click and drag the mouse as if it was the control bar)

Fly-by-Mouse: Use the Fly-by-Mouse area in the cockpit panel by clicking on the mouse button and dragging it as if it was the control bar.

Joystick and controls setup: You can fly the trike with regular fixed wing aircraft joystick setting (pull the stick to pitch up, push the stick to pitch down). For more realistic training:

Joystick pitch axis should be inverted (joystick setting menu) to simulate the real style flying of the trike which is push the control bar of the wing to tilt it up and by that getting the nose up (push for up). When moving the control bar of the wing, the weight of the undercarriage is shifting also and once airborne it is the main control input for the trike.

Flight model important notes for X-Plane:

The 'Trike S-1':

Trimmed for 45-50 knots. Adding power will affect the pitch attitude slightly and produce a nose-down moment. I made this setup due to some limitations of X-Plane's flight model which concerns hang-gliders physics; in real life - the engine's thrust vector is (supposed to be) in straight line with the CG location, and change of power settings doesn't affect the aircraft's attitude. In the 'Trike S-1' flight model, the vertical CG location is lowered, as much as possible, to eliminate "nosing-up" when tilting the wing upwards, while on the ground (X-Plane is shifting the weight backwards while on the ground...this doesn't occur in real life, when the weight is actually shifting while airborne). So...when changing the engine's setting from full power to idle, expect a slightly nose-up moment.

The 'Trike S-1-F':

Equipped with large scale floats and landing gears which are affecting its stability and total response; fly the Trike with ease, make room for maneuvers.

The Trike is capable of taking off safely from water with waves up to 0.7 feet. When taking off from the water, apply full power and tilt the win up slightly. Once at~35-40 knots, apply an extra push to the control-bar for departure, but as you are airborne, ease it to gain airspeed before climbing.

Landing is straight forward; final at ~40 knots, judge for touchdown at ~35 knots, nose slightly above the horizon.

Taking off with the Trike S-1-F from land is straight forward, but rotation speed is ~40 knots. This is not a "dirt-buggy'; land take-offs should be operated from paved runways.

When experiencing a dead-engine gliding with the S-1-F, it is recommended to keep the airspeed at ~40 knots on the glide. This aircraft is 'dirty' and sink-rate is noticeably greater than the S-1.

Because the trike is trimmed to 45-50 knots, almost no pressure at all will be required on final approach, and when the engine is on Idle, it will keep gliding in a good attitude, near the stall speed, right until touchdown. This is a very fun exercise when landing the trike.

Do not exceed a 60 degree turn, nor abrupt movements of the control bar on steep turns. The lateral stability of the trike is limited, and it could snap out of the turn.

Micro-light Trike S-3:

During taxiing, push the control bar slightly forward to have a better nose-wheel traction for steering.

On take-off, judge to get airborne at ~30 knots.

Landing is straightforward, but keep the airspeed above 30 knots right until touchdown. It is not recommended to flare the S-3 too much, and if so, do it with slightly additional power.

The experimental S-4:

Take off only with head-wind. Lift-off speed should be around 35 knots.

Watch out for abrupt weight shifting, especially forward motion and especially at high speeds or the aircraft will tumble.

Use Drogue-Chute for descent as it is acting like an air brake (in the cockpit - left handle).

To land fly the final at ~45 knots, and flare the S-4 so touchdown will be at ~28 knots.

Performance (VSKYLABS 'Microlight-Trike S-3'):The VSKYLABS Microlight Trike S-3 is an agile and challenging powered hang glider, bringing X-Plane simulation almost to it's limits because of its size and weight.Treat the S-3 with caution. It is not as heavy and stable as the S-1, and it should be flown with great care, because it will give you the impression that you can do "anything" with it, jut until you lose control...

Climb Rate @ Gross weight:~650 fpm.

Stall Speed @ Gross weight: <30 knots.

Cruise speed: 40 knots.

Descent Rate @ Gross weight / Idle: ~400 fpm @ 35 knots.

Fuel Capacity: 12 Gallon.

Fuel Burn @ Cruise speed:~1.5 Gal/Hr

Performance (VSKYLABS Experimental S-4):The VSKYLABS Experimental S-3 is quite stable and maneuverable. You will have to handle it with extreme caution though. Ground take-off run corrections are made with shifting the body left or right, gently. When flying do not exceed extreme velocities nor maneuvers, or it will tumble. Take it easy and relax with the S-4, and you will be able to stretch its performance to the limits, and perform mild aerobatics with it.

The S-4 will stall below ~35 knots.

Lift-off speed is ~35 knots.

Extra reading / watching / learning

How to fly a hang glider trike?

I will write a brief manual soon. Until then, you can go to this YouTube links and get yourself familiar with this beautiful flying machine. It is from the channel of Paul Hamilton (I don't know him in person but his videos are great):